If you have passion for wanting to help and provide care to animals, an animal welfare organization may be the right business venture for you. Here are a few things to get you started.
Research and plan
You may be eager to get your start up running, but it’s essential to invest the time and research before you get started. This is especially important if you don’t have a business background. Even a non-profit welfare organization can go out of business if poorly managed. Talk to other organizations, attend workshops and seminars, and create a network of resources that you can rely on when you need guidance. The next step is to create a business plan to ensure you’ve thought of all the administrative details. You may be passionate about helping animals, but the housekeeping behind running a successful business is critical to your success. You’ll also want to look into government documents and forms you’ll have to fill out and register to launch your start up organization.
Choose the name of your start up
Selecting the perfect name takes careful consideration. While it is possible to change an organization’s name once it’s been registered, it makes more sense to choose the right name for your organization in the first place. Select a name that is descriptive and distinctive, but make sure it isn’t long and complicated. A geographic name can limit you if you’re plans are to go national in the future. Avoid names that are common and similar to other animal welfare organizations.
Create your mission statement
All start ups need a mission statement. It needs to be clear and concise, as well as inspirational. Your mission will be your guide in everything your organization does – what you do, why you do it, and how you do it. A few sentences that are action and results oriented are key. And don’t forget to be positive. Not only will mission statement help you define what you do, it will also inform the public of your objectives.
Set goals
Setting short term and long term goals will help you gauge the success of your start up. Goals are statements about what you need to accomplish to fulfill your mission statement. Start with your long term goal – where do you want to be in ten years? Then work on creating short term goals to achieve your long term goal.